kinda off the subject, but what the hell does "FLAPS" mean?  Being in
Florida, I haven't heard that expression used.  We have discount auto parts
here.>"DAPS"

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, March 01, 1998 6:59 PM
Subject: Re: Exhaust systems

>---Austin <austins@IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:
>>
>> At 08:54 AM 2/28/98 -0800, you wrote:
>> >Well here goes -- another can of worms to open.
>> >
>> >The local Midas shop will build a sytem up for about $500 ($350 US)
>and give
>> >me a "lifetime warranty.
>> >
>> >I like the warranty on the Midas system BUT if aftermarket stuff
>degrades
>> >performance I don't want it!
>> >Rick
>> >
>> My miserable experience with Midas is read the fine print - sure,
>they'll
>> warranty the muffler, but *not* the labor, incredibly expensive
>support
>> brackets, etc etc etc.  A $200 job on a Rabbit had ~ $30 warranty on
>the
>> muffler only!!!
>>
>> Austin
>>
>
>
>That's why you only go to Midas for the muffler. Been there, done
>that. *****:(
>
>What you can do to remedy the problem is:
>
>1.) Unless they're in good shape, get the manifolds, side-pipe, and
>gaskets from an indie VW parts dealer who's cool enough to have
>Wasserboxer parts, but not after you've shopped around between them
>and mail-order places like the Bus Depot, who might have a better
>deal. If you're lucky like me, there will be at least one FLAPS that
>has a Volkswagen section. In my case, it's an Advance Auto Parts store
>on the edge of town that has way better prices and service than the VW
>people. Your parts are warrantied there, too. Save the CAT unless you
>can't.
>
>2.) Replace the stuff behind the CAT yourself, or get a friend to do it.
>
>3.) Listen to the bus. Still noisy?
>
>4.) Go to Midas for the muffler. Insist on just the muffler and
>tailpipe. By this point, you KNOW your stuff ahead of the muffler is
>in good shape, so if the Midas guy tries to bulls#!t you into buying a
>converter or complete system, be an @sshole- drive your noisy bus to
>the Midas across town. My folks found a Midas shop with good people.
>
>As the cost of the system is in the non-muffler items, that is where
>you must shop frugally. Legally, Midas has to make good on their
>warranty, because they advertise it. I've been to Midas, so I know
>what it's like. They have their place in the world...
>
>My $0.02
>
>Sam
>=
>"Punk's not dead (it just sucks right now)"
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